Greener, more pedestrian-friendly Jetty Rd proposed in masterplan concept designs for Glenelg shopping strip

NEW concept plans for a revamped Jetty Rd show a strip with four times as many trees, wider footpaths and more outdoor dining. Check out the changes with our before-and-after interactive gallery

A concept design for a plaza at the corner of Jetty Rd and Chapel St, Glenelg. Source: Holdfast Bay Council.

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A GREENER, more pedestrian-friendly Jetty Rd is at the heart of concept designs for a facelift to the thoroughfare.

On-street parking would be reduced to make way for wider footpaths and more outdoor dining, and the strip would feature about four times as many trees as it does now.

Design firm Oxigen has produced the concept plans for Holdfast Bay Council, which also include creating a plaza at the corner of Chapel St and Jetty Rd, by partially closing the side street.

Oxigen director James Hayter believed the area would also benefit from the tram terminus moving into Colley Tce, to create more public space in Moseley Square.

However, the council says this idea is yet to be officially proposed to the State Government, which manages the tram service.

The council is due to vote on Tuesday night to publicly releasing concept plans to beautify the Bay’s main street, as part of the Jetty Road Glenelg Masterplan process.

Mr Hayter said it was important Jetty Rd retained its “character and sense of place” but its landscaping was at the end of its life.

Key issues raised during earlier consultation with councillors and residents included improving pedestrian safety and reducing crowding, slowing down cars and planting more trees.

People also wanted more shade, outdoor dining, better use of side streets and more markets and events.

Mr Hayter said if the tramline turned north at the end of Jetty Rd and finished in Colley Tce, it would better connect the Bay’s premier shopping strip with Moseley Square.

This would also remove the barrier between the northern and southern parts of the square, created by the tram stop.

“What it does it integrate Jetty Rd with Moseley Square really well,” Mr Hayter said.

The concept designs identify three main areas of Jetty Rd: a gateway section at Brighton Rd, the core in the middle and a coast section between Moseley St and the beach.

Palm trees would be planted in the gateway and coast sections, and large deciduous trees in the middle.

Most of the on-street parking would remain in the middle of Jetty Rd, but there would be less parking at either end of the strip.

Mayor Stephen Patterson said the plan responded to an expected increase in people living in apartments along Jetty Rd.

“With these higher-density dwellings, people look more at these public spaces for their sense of place so it will be interesting to see what people feel about it,” Mr Patterson said.

Jetty Road Mainstreet Committee chairman Mark Faulkner said he loved the designs.

“There’s more room for people to be able to stroll and sit and stay a bit longer on our street,” Mr Faulkner said.

Cyclists would be encouraged to use Augusta St rather than Jetty Rd, making their way there via a new pathway along Brighton Rd, from the end of the Mike Turtur Bikeway.

The draft concepts will be available for viewing at yourviewholdfast.com/jettyroadglenelg from next Monday, July 3.

People will then be able to have their say until August 14.

A draft masterplan will be released later in the year.

What do you think of the ideas for Jetty Rd? Leave your comments below.